Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! ( Haha, yes the "couplings" are
complicated but what isn't complicated in The O.C.? I guess I'm going to
write a chapter a week, I hope. I really can't believe I haven't updated in
so long. If it's been a week and still no new chapter, someone yell at me
to hurry up. Writer's block is damn persistent. Hotels, parties, pills oh
my. What an episode huh? Man, that Holly's a bitch and Luke really needs to
grow up and learn that karma will bite you in the ass. I hate to admit
this, but Summer and Seth looked really cute at the table together. When
they were arguing in the car, they sounded like an old married couple.
Sorry for the short chapter. More will come tomorrow. Hopefully. Please
R&R! Thanks! [P.S.: Luke's nickname is Luk-e, pronounced "Lucky". As you
can probably tell, I couldn't really think of a nickname for him and was
just messing around with the name. Besides, Blondie isn't a really great
nickname and Low-life scum eating asswipe is just too long. So anyone want
to suggest a nickname? Full credit will be received.]
Chapter 10 "If You Only Knew"
"Cocoa Puffs? You are a lady of excellent taste Riles." Ryan said sleepily. Ryan rubbed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair before sitting on one of the high chairs. He started to pour Lucky Charms into his bowl.
"Oh yeah, I go coo coo for Cocoa Puffs." Riley said. "Lucky Charms? Never thought I'd see the day."
"Well, they are magically delicious." Ryan said and smirked.
"Ah, clovers and pots of gold does it for you huh?" Riley asked.
Ryan chuckled and instead avoided the question. "So where's everyone?"
"Oh, um, they're out shopping for a desk or some kind of crap like that for Cody." Riley said.
Ryan relaxed a little. 'So Cody's not here now. Guess no morning smack down.' There was silence with Riley watching Ryan.
"Okay, you know what, this has been going on too long. What the hell happened between you and Cody? I can't stand not knowing." Riley said.
"Nothing." Ryan said a little too quickly. "Not all friendships last you know?"
Riley frowned. She knew the situation too well from her own experiences. She's practically moved every year. "But hey, we made it work. What could have been so bad?"
'You have no idea.' Ryan thought but did not voice his thought. "Nothing Riles, just drop it. Nothing can be done now."
Riley threw up her hands in surrender. "Alright I'm dropping it. For now." Ryan shot her a look but she ignored it.
"Remember yesterday? You had gaga eyes for that one girl." Riley said.
"Wow, I wonder why people say you're blunt." Ryan said sarcastically.
"You feeling her Ry Ry?" Riley said.
Ryan thought for a moment. Should he tell her? It's not something he can hide from her forever. Riley's like a female Sherlock. "Yeah I guess I am."
"Oh man, seriously? You're falling for one of those rich chicks from here?" Riley asked. She couldn't believe he could actually like a shallow rich girl.
"Riles, she is not shallow. You don't even know her." Ryan said.
"Well, neither do you." Riley said.
"How do you know that?" Ryan challenged.
"Oh right, she rushed over to hug you and chat up a storm. Wait a minute, she didn't do that because she doesn't know you." Riley said.
"You know, you're a pain in the ass sometimes." Ryan said. Riley stuck out her tongue at him. "Big pain."
"So you like her then?" Riley asked.
"If you only knew." Ryan said.
[x]
"Hey, ready to go?" Seth asked on his cell. He just got the camera phone and was taking pictures like crazy. He decided to surprise Riley and take her picture right when she got to the door.
"On the way out." Riley said.
"Great. We'll get there before anyone else does." Seth said happily.
"Seth, it's about what, 9 in the morning. I don't think too many people are gonna go." Riley said.
"Ah, that's what people want you to think. You know reverse psychology? Fiendish tricksters the skaters here are." Seth said.
"Wow. Okay then. Well then I guess I'm gonna leave now 'cause we definitely don't want those, 'fiendish tricksters' to crowd the park. Bye." Riley said and quickly hung up.
"Hurry up Molasses!" Ryan yelled out and started off on his bike.
"Yeah, yeah." Riley grumbled and speedily skated up to Ryan. They moved in silence when passing the first few houses, enjoying each other's company. Riley was getting scorched by the summer heat and decided to never wear long pants again during the dog days of summer. She tugged at her baggy black pants and her gray tank was sticking to her body. She deftly tied her hair up in a messy bun with strands of pink and black sticking out. She wondered how Ryan was doing in this heat. She looked over at him and finally noticed that he wasn't wearing his usual dark jacket and white wifebeater but a red shirt and jeans. Ryan noticed her looking.
"What? Do I have something on my face?" He asked.
"Nah it's just, you're not wearing your usual wifebeater." Riley commented.
"Ah, I see." Ryan said.
"You know how I asked about Marissa? What exactly is going on?" Riley asked. "I mean, does she like you back?"
"Um, I'd like to think so, but no. She has a boyfriend." Ryan said.
"The blonde?" Ryan nodded. "How long have they been going out?"
"Um since the fifth grade." Ryan said.
Riley whistled. "Man, good luck trying to break them up."
"What? What are you talking about?" Ryan asked.
"Oh come on, you don't stay with someone for that long unless you know they're 'the one'. They're probably planning a wedding with pink and yellow roses." Riley said.
"No way. I don't believe that." Ryan said shaking his head.
"Oh really now? What makes you think they're not gonna go through it all?" Riley asked.
"'Cause the boyfriend is a dickhead and really doesn't deserve her." Ryan said.
"Dickhead huh? What'd he do?" Riley asked.
"Uh, half the girls of Newport." Ryan said in disgust.
"Oh, oh yeah. Definite dickhead." Riley said.
"Yep." Ryan said.
"So you're not gonna make a move? At all?" Riley said. "You should really tell her 'cause she is going to pissed when she finds out that you knew all along and didn't tell her."
"I don't know. I don't think it's my place to tell her. She won't believe me." Ryan said.
Riley shook her head. Sometimes Ryan could be so stubborn. "Alright, but it's your execution when she finds out and believe me, she will."
Ryan decided to turn the tables on her. "So what about you and Seth?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all. That's what sucks so much." Riley said irritated. "Did you see the look in his eyes whenever he talked about Summer? She's constantly on his mind, thinking about how beautiful she is and shit. How am I supposed to compete with that?"
Ryan could feel her pain. Like Riley, he couldn't compete with Luke, the perfect boyfriend. "Guess we're both losers in the game of love huh?"
"Yes, losers we are." Riley replied sadly. "I've decided not to try anything.yet."
"Try what?" Ryan asked.
"I'm not going to flirt or whatever with him. It wouldn't be any use when he only has eyes for her. I don't know why the hell he likes her, but hey, can't do anything about it."
Before Ryan could reply, a silver SUV pulled up beside them.
"Ryan! We need to talk." Marissa said quickly. She took notice of Riley and became a little bit jealous. "Who's that?" She asked a little frigidly.
Ryan was a little taken back from her tone. He always thought her to be soft-spoken but then he remembered what happened at Seaside. 'Yeah, has a reason.' Marissa folded her arms across her chest, waiting for his answer.
"'That' is Riley. She's new to the town." Ryan answered coolly. "What did you need talk about?"
"If you don't mind?" Marissa asked Riley but didn't look at her. Riley couldn't believe how rude she is.
"Catch up with you later then Ryan? Your royal heinous." Riley curtly said to Marissa. "Oh and watch out for that hole there. Wouldn't want to trip on your 100 dollar." And with that, she skated off to Seth's house.
"That wasn't very nice." Ryan said when Riley was out of earshot. Marissa scoffed.
"Look, I need to know what happened that night." Marissa said, getting straight to the point.
"Well hi to you too." Ryan said sarcastically.
Marissa became frustrated. 'Not the best way to begin.'
"Ryan, I just need an answer now."
"Oh I bet you do."
"Ryan! Just tell me!"
"Alright, you wanna know what happened? You got completely wasted that night. Summer and Holly drove you home and left you on the front step because they couldn't find your keys. I took you into the pool house so you'd have a place to sleep." He felt his voice rise at every sentence.
"Did you do anything?" Marissa asked uncertainly. She knew that he wouldn't but she could never be too sure.
"What?! Are you kidding me?" He was on the edge of losing his temper now. "No I didn't and will never."
"Ryan, this isn't easy on me okay? Please don't yell at me."
"Oh right because Luke wouldn't huh? Have you ever thought about where your perfect boyfriend is when you're with Summer? Hmm? Any idea?" Ryan spat out. Marissa looked at Ryan completely shocked. "Did you wonder where your boyfriend was when you were drunk? You come to me and assume something happened that night when you're drunk but you don't even think about Luke and why he wasn't the one helping you to your house?"
"I-I didn't th-think about it." Marissa said.
"You didn't even thank me or talk to me the next morning. You waited on the curb for, for him." Ryan emphasized the last sentence in a lowered voice. Marissa couldn't speak, all she could do was go through everything Ryan just said. Ryan had said enough and left before he could say anything else. Marissa was left there standing. She was ready to burst into tears. She wanted Ryan and not Luke but now everything had changed.
[x]
[ A few hours later. ]
"Hey Codeman!" Luke yelled out. He, Nolan, and Brett walked over to corner booth.
"What's up Luk-e?" Cody hollered back without looking up from his menu. He decided to check out a new place called the "Seaside", recommended by his new friends Luke, Nolan, and Brett. They've only met for a few days, but Cody figured he could make new friends and hang out with them while Ryan was here. He didn't want to run into the little brat anytime soon. So now he was a permanent fixture of Luke's black truck.
"So got anything planned tonight?" Nolan asked. Cody thought for a moment and shook his head.
"Nothing's going on." Cody said nonchalantly.
"Dude you should totally go to the party tonight." Brett offered.
"Yeah? Think so?" Cody asked.
"Definitely. Holly's always rocking a phat party." Nolan said. Cody snickered a little at Nolan's choice of words. 'Phat? Man, catch up with mod lingo.' Cody thought. 'Wouldn't surprise me if he had an IQ of 8.'
"Uh sure. Where is it?" Cody asked.
"At Holly's beach house. Hey we'll pick you up, so you know, don't get lost." Luke said. "Wouldn't wanna miss your first party in Newport huh?"
"Right. Wouldn't miss it for the world." Cody said sarcastically.
"Seriously man. Holly has raging parties." Brett said.
"And all the beer you can get!" Luke said and all the guys high-fived each other, Cody did reluctantly.
"What about the girls? Hotties right?" Cody asked. He couldn't bear living in a town where there were not attractive girls. Again.
"Fiery. Red-hot. Bikinis all the way." Brett said.
"Awesome. Y'all got girls?" Cody asked.
"No." Brett and Nolan said.
"Luke?" Cody asked.
"Yeah I got a girl. Marissa, Marissa Cooper." Luke said.
"Ah, I see." Cody said. "You have to show me at the party."
"Yeah sure." Luke said distractedly. Cody looked over to the door and watched a very hot blonde in the ittiest-bittest bikini and short shorts you have ever seen.
"Hey Luke." The blonde said in a voice dripping in saccharine. She still watched Luke intently. Cody cleared his throat a little and Luke snapped back to reality. He introduced Cody to Holly.
"Hi, so you're the new guy." Holly said.
'Nothing gets past her huh?' Cody thought and smiled. "Obviously."
Holly didn't note the sarcasm and went back to talk to look at Luke. 'Wow, really not bright.'
Holly bent down and whispered to Luke and all Cody could hear was "Marissa", "Let's go then", and "Please". 'What's going on?' Cody thought.
"Later okay?" Luke said. Holly nodded and left.
"She a good friend?" Cody asked curiously.
"You have no idea." Luke whispered and smiled the tiniest grin.
"Just a side dish?" Cody asked.
"If you only knew." Luke said.
'Oh ho ho. Too bad your girlfriend's friend is around to hear that.' A brunette thought and quickly left the restaurant. 'Coop is gonna freak.'
Chapter 10 "If You Only Knew"
"Cocoa Puffs? You are a lady of excellent taste Riles." Ryan said sleepily. Ryan rubbed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair before sitting on one of the high chairs. He started to pour Lucky Charms into his bowl.
"Oh yeah, I go coo coo for Cocoa Puffs." Riley said. "Lucky Charms? Never thought I'd see the day."
"Well, they are magically delicious." Ryan said and smirked.
"Ah, clovers and pots of gold does it for you huh?" Riley asked.
Ryan chuckled and instead avoided the question. "So where's everyone?"
"Oh, um, they're out shopping for a desk or some kind of crap like that for Cody." Riley said.
Ryan relaxed a little. 'So Cody's not here now. Guess no morning smack down.' There was silence with Riley watching Ryan.
"Okay, you know what, this has been going on too long. What the hell happened between you and Cody? I can't stand not knowing." Riley said.
"Nothing." Ryan said a little too quickly. "Not all friendships last you know?"
Riley frowned. She knew the situation too well from her own experiences. She's practically moved every year. "But hey, we made it work. What could have been so bad?"
'You have no idea.' Ryan thought but did not voice his thought. "Nothing Riles, just drop it. Nothing can be done now."
Riley threw up her hands in surrender. "Alright I'm dropping it. For now." Ryan shot her a look but she ignored it.
"Remember yesterday? You had gaga eyes for that one girl." Riley said.
"Wow, I wonder why people say you're blunt." Ryan said sarcastically.
"You feeling her Ry Ry?" Riley said.
Ryan thought for a moment. Should he tell her? It's not something he can hide from her forever. Riley's like a female Sherlock. "Yeah I guess I am."
"Oh man, seriously? You're falling for one of those rich chicks from here?" Riley asked. She couldn't believe he could actually like a shallow rich girl.
"Riles, she is not shallow. You don't even know her." Ryan said.
"Well, neither do you." Riley said.
"How do you know that?" Ryan challenged.
"Oh right, she rushed over to hug you and chat up a storm. Wait a minute, she didn't do that because she doesn't know you." Riley said.
"You know, you're a pain in the ass sometimes." Ryan said. Riley stuck out her tongue at him. "Big pain."
"So you like her then?" Riley asked.
"If you only knew." Ryan said.
[x]
"Hey, ready to go?" Seth asked on his cell. He just got the camera phone and was taking pictures like crazy. He decided to surprise Riley and take her picture right when she got to the door.
"On the way out." Riley said.
"Great. We'll get there before anyone else does." Seth said happily.
"Seth, it's about what, 9 in the morning. I don't think too many people are gonna go." Riley said.
"Ah, that's what people want you to think. You know reverse psychology? Fiendish tricksters the skaters here are." Seth said.
"Wow. Okay then. Well then I guess I'm gonna leave now 'cause we definitely don't want those, 'fiendish tricksters' to crowd the park. Bye." Riley said and quickly hung up.
"Hurry up Molasses!" Ryan yelled out and started off on his bike.
"Yeah, yeah." Riley grumbled and speedily skated up to Ryan. They moved in silence when passing the first few houses, enjoying each other's company. Riley was getting scorched by the summer heat and decided to never wear long pants again during the dog days of summer. She tugged at her baggy black pants and her gray tank was sticking to her body. She deftly tied her hair up in a messy bun with strands of pink and black sticking out. She wondered how Ryan was doing in this heat. She looked over at him and finally noticed that he wasn't wearing his usual dark jacket and white wifebeater but a red shirt and jeans. Ryan noticed her looking.
"What? Do I have something on my face?" He asked.
"Nah it's just, you're not wearing your usual wifebeater." Riley commented.
"Ah, I see." Ryan said.
"You know how I asked about Marissa? What exactly is going on?" Riley asked. "I mean, does she like you back?"
"Um, I'd like to think so, but no. She has a boyfriend." Ryan said.
"The blonde?" Ryan nodded. "How long have they been going out?"
"Um since the fifth grade." Ryan said.
Riley whistled. "Man, good luck trying to break them up."
"What? What are you talking about?" Ryan asked.
"Oh come on, you don't stay with someone for that long unless you know they're 'the one'. They're probably planning a wedding with pink and yellow roses." Riley said.
"No way. I don't believe that." Ryan said shaking his head.
"Oh really now? What makes you think they're not gonna go through it all?" Riley asked.
"'Cause the boyfriend is a dickhead and really doesn't deserve her." Ryan said.
"Dickhead huh? What'd he do?" Riley asked.
"Uh, half the girls of Newport." Ryan said in disgust.
"Oh, oh yeah. Definite dickhead." Riley said.
"Yep." Ryan said.
"So you're not gonna make a move? At all?" Riley said. "You should really tell her 'cause she is going to pissed when she finds out that you knew all along and didn't tell her."
"I don't know. I don't think it's my place to tell her. She won't believe me." Ryan said.
Riley shook her head. Sometimes Ryan could be so stubborn. "Alright, but it's your execution when she finds out and believe me, she will."
Ryan decided to turn the tables on her. "So what about you and Seth?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all. That's what sucks so much." Riley said irritated. "Did you see the look in his eyes whenever he talked about Summer? She's constantly on his mind, thinking about how beautiful she is and shit. How am I supposed to compete with that?"
Ryan could feel her pain. Like Riley, he couldn't compete with Luke, the perfect boyfriend. "Guess we're both losers in the game of love huh?"
"Yes, losers we are." Riley replied sadly. "I've decided not to try anything.yet."
"Try what?" Ryan asked.
"I'm not going to flirt or whatever with him. It wouldn't be any use when he only has eyes for her. I don't know why the hell he likes her, but hey, can't do anything about it."
Before Ryan could reply, a silver SUV pulled up beside them.
"Ryan! We need to talk." Marissa said quickly. She took notice of Riley and became a little bit jealous. "Who's that?" She asked a little frigidly.
Ryan was a little taken back from her tone. He always thought her to be soft-spoken but then he remembered what happened at Seaside. 'Yeah, has a reason.' Marissa folded her arms across her chest, waiting for his answer.
"'That' is Riley. She's new to the town." Ryan answered coolly. "What did you need talk about?"
"If you don't mind?" Marissa asked Riley but didn't look at her. Riley couldn't believe how rude she is.
"Catch up with you later then Ryan? Your royal heinous." Riley curtly said to Marissa. "Oh and watch out for that hole there. Wouldn't want to trip on your 100 dollar." And with that, she skated off to Seth's house.
"That wasn't very nice." Ryan said when Riley was out of earshot. Marissa scoffed.
"Look, I need to know what happened that night." Marissa said, getting straight to the point.
"Well hi to you too." Ryan said sarcastically.
Marissa became frustrated. 'Not the best way to begin.'
"Ryan, I just need an answer now."
"Oh I bet you do."
"Ryan! Just tell me!"
"Alright, you wanna know what happened? You got completely wasted that night. Summer and Holly drove you home and left you on the front step because they couldn't find your keys. I took you into the pool house so you'd have a place to sleep." He felt his voice rise at every sentence.
"Did you do anything?" Marissa asked uncertainly. She knew that he wouldn't but she could never be too sure.
"What?! Are you kidding me?" He was on the edge of losing his temper now. "No I didn't and will never."
"Ryan, this isn't easy on me okay? Please don't yell at me."
"Oh right because Luke wouldn't huh? Have you ever thought about where your perfect boyfriend is when you're with Summer? Hmm? Any idea?" Ryan spat out. Marissa looked at Ryan completely shocked. "Did you wonder where your boyfriend was when you were drunk? You come to me and assume something happened that night when you're drunk but you don't even think about Luke and why he wasn't the one helping you to your house?"
"I-I didn't th-think about it." Marissa said.
"You didn't even thank me or talk to me the next morning. You waited on the curb for, for him." Ryan emphasized the last sentence in a lowered voice. Marissa couldn't speak, all she could do was go through everything Ryan just said. Ryan had said enough and left before he could say anything else. Marissa was left there standing. She was ready to burst into tears. She wanted Ryan and not Luke but now everything had changed.
[x]
[ A few hours later. ]
"Hey Codeman!" Luke yelled out. He, Nolan, and Brett walked over to corner booth.
"What's up Luk-e?" Cody hollered back without looking up from his menu. He decided to check out a new place called the "Seaside", recommended by his new friends Luke, Nolan, and Brett. They've only met for a few days, but Cody figured he could make new friends and hang out with them while Ryan was here. He didn't want to run into the little brat anytime soon. So now he was a permanent fixture of Luke's black truck.
"So got anything planned tonight?" Nolan asked. Cody thought for a moment and shook his head.
"Nothing's going on." Cody said nonchalantly.
"Dude you should totally go to the party tonight." Brett offered.
"Yeah? Think so?" Cody asked.
"Definitely. Holly's always rocking a phat party." Nolan said. Cody snickered a little at Nolan's choice of words. 'Phat? Man, catch up with mod lingo.' Cody thought. 'Wouldn't surprise me if he had an IQ of 8.'
"Uh sure. Where is it?" Cody asked.
"At Holly's beach house. Hey we'll pick you up, so you know, don't get lost." Luke said. "Wouldn't wanna miss your first party in Newport huh?"
"Right. Wouldn't miss it for the world." Cody said sarcastically.
"Seriously man. Holly has raging parties." Brett said.
"And all the beer you can get!" Luke said and all the guys high-fived each other, Cody did reluctantly.
"What about the girls? Hotties right?" Cody asked. He couldn't bear living in a town where there were not attractive girls. Again.
"Fiery. Red-hot. Bikinis all the way." Brett said.
"Awesome. Y'all got girls?" Cody asked.
"No." Brett and Nolan said.
"Luke?" Cody asked.
"Yeah I got a girl. Marissa, Marissa Cooper." Luke said.
"Ah, I see." Cody said. "You have to show me at the party."
"Yeah sure." Luke said distractedly. Cody looked over to the door and watched a very hot blonde in the ittiest-bittest bikini and short shorts you have ever seen.
"Hey Luke." The blonde said in a voice dripping in saccharine. She still watched Luke intently. Cody cleared his throat a little and Luke snapped back to reality. He introduced Cody to Holly.
"Hi, so you're the new guy." Holly said.
'Nothing gets past her huh?' Cody thought and smiled. "Obviously."
Holly didn't note the sarcasm and went back to talk to look at Luke. 'Wow, really not bright.'
Holly bent down and whispered to Luke and all Cody could hear was "Marissa", "Let's go then", and "Please". 'What's going on?' Cody thought.
"Later okay?" Luke said. Holly nodded and left.
"She a good friend?" Cody asked curiously.
"You have no idea." Luke whispered and smiled the tiniest grin.
"Just a side dish?" Cody asked.
"If you only knew." Luke said.
'Oh ho ho. Too bad your girlfriend's friend is around to hear that.' A brunette thought and quickly left the restaurant. 'Coop is gonna freak.'